Plot/Story

Penguin Brothers is a shoujo manga about Mishima Hina and her experiences at her newest school... A school that just happens to be split into three factions White, Black and Grey.

In short about half the school wear white clothing, and half wear black clothing... both groups are hostile to each other and each are led by a male student. The majority of the friction is due to the relationship between the two leaders... Oh, then there is this tiny group (population: 5) who are referred to as Greys... These are "special" people who don’t care about allying themselves with one of the factions.

Hina finds this structure depressing and discriminatory and she seeks too do something about it. She challenges the entire system... and with the aid of Koshiba Tetsuta a prodigy... she just might be able to beat it.

Characters

Mishima Hina - Our main girl... she’s kinda short... not exceptionally pretty and reasonably aggressive. Hina works well as the lead character tho and her personality allows her to interact well with all the other characters in the manga.

Koshiba Tetsuta - The prodigy... he’s... weird. Good value tho. He can usually be found doing all kinds of things as he pursues his dream of becoming a "Singing Dancing Doctor."

Isshiki Shoui - Head of the Whites, he’s a clean freak... doesn’t like too be touched. Isshiki is a cold character who distances himself from others.

Nishizaki - Head of the Blacks... not a terribly nice person. In fact... he’s not nice at all. Despite that, he’s a pretty cool guy.

Mishima Kyouichi - Hina's Uncle and freelance artist. He travels all over the place for the sake of his art. He adopted Hina after her parents passed away.

Drawing Style

Very shoujo... expect big eyes, pretty hair, bishounen, bishoujo and "Chibification!!"

The art is great; hence the high mark... must say... I do like Shoujo-manga (ack! Masculinity... fading)

Enjoyment

It’s a manga to be enjoyed. Not only does it have a well crafted story but it has well developed characters as well. Despite its shoujo nature Penguin Brothers does have its non-characteristically-shoujo moments. There is a bit of violence in this… but nothing too serious.

Overall

5 volumes, its fun, has enjoyable characters, pretty art and an acceptable storyline.

It’s worth the purchase.

(Written by Ayumi Shiina)